Dr. Bill Pink to become next president of Ferris State University

Dr. Bill Pink has been president of Grand Rapids Community College for the past five years, but now moves on to a new position as president of Ferris State University, as announced by the Ferris State University Board of Trustees.

According to the FSU website, the Board will officially take a vote on Dr. Pink at a regular meeting scheduled for May 6, 2022. The meeting will take place in Big Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Pink will follow the current president David L. Eisler, who, after serving for 19 years, will retire on June 30. Dr. Bill Pink will be Ferris State University’s 19th president. 

In the announcement, Dr. Pink spoke highly of the work President Eisler has done at FSU, saying, “I will not attempt to fill the shoes of Dr. Eisler and the incredible work he has done for the university, the region, and our state. Instead, I’ll wear my own shoes in continuing to move Ferris forward. I am excited about the opportunity.”

Dr. Pink similarly spoke highly of FSU and the work he has done with the school in the past in partnerships with Grand Rapids Community College: “I am honored to be selected by the Ferris State University board. I have been familiar with the good work of FSU for years, as the partnership we have on our GRCC campus has provided a great pathway from associate to bachelor degree for many years.”

Dr. Pink was unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees after a “comprehensive national search led by an advisory committee that included faculty, staff, student and community inclusion, and the trustees.”

In that same article, the chair of Ferris’ Board of Trustees Amna P. Seibold praised Dr. Pink and his commitment to the community. “Dr. Pink is well known in the Grand Rapids area, but he is no stranger to the Ferris State University community. GRCC has partnered with Ferris on many classes. Students can get an associate degree with GRCC and a bachelor’s degree with Ferris in certain workforce-related programs without ever leaving the GRCC campus.”

The former mayor of Grand Rapids and FSU Trustee George Heartwell also had kind words to say about the incoming president. “I saw what he did at GRCC and admired his efforts. I knew Bill as a community member who took his responsibility as a citizen and leader very seriously.”

Ferris State University has been around since 1884 and offers myriad programs from the associate degree level up through graduate courses, and many certificate programs both pre- and post-grad in many subjects. According to the University's website, the school serves over 11,000 students and has over 180 degree programs.